Folding furniture.



E. M. STANNARD. FOLDING FURNITURE. APPLIGATION FILED APR. 6, 190B.

Patented May 11, 1909.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

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E M. STANNARD. FOLDING FURNITURE. AEPLIOATION FILED APR. 6, 1908.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

m m m Patented May 11, 1909.

7% 17 7" TORNE Y8- EDWARD M. STANNARD, OF BRISTOL, WISCONSIN.

FOLDING FURNITURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1909.

Application filed April 6, 1908. Serial No. 425,306.

.T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD M. STANNARD, residing in Bristol, in the county of Kenosha and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Furniture, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification. I

My invention has relation to improvements in. folding furniture, more especially, although not necessarily, adapted for use in connection with a folding cot.

One of the important objects of the invention is to provide a construction whereby sagging of the canvas is readily taken up through the medium of a simple and easily operated arrangement and combination of parts.

A further object resides in the particular arrangement and combination of parts, whereby the structure is rendered capable of being folded into a compact bundle, for convenient shipment.

The invention furthermore contemplates as an object a construction combining comfort, strength and simplicity.

ii/ ith the above, and other incidental objects, in view the invention consists of the devices and parts, or their equivalents, as hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation showing my improvements in the form of a cot, the cot being set up ready for use; Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1, parts broken away; Fig. 3 is a fragment of the center of the cot, looking down upon the top thereof; Fig. 4 is a view illustrating the method of folding the cot for transportation; Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modified form of the invention applied as a cot, the said cot being shown set up ready for use Fig. 3 is a view of one end of this cot partly folded; 7 is a plan view of a fragment of the center of the cot shown in Fig. 5 Fig. 8 is a view showing in detail the spreading mechanism, the loi er beam and other parts being in section Fig. 9 is a side view of one of the socket plates for receiving the outer end of one of the spreader arms; and Fig. 10 is a front view of said plate.

The drawings show my improved arrangement and combination of parts employed in such manner as to form a cot, when the parts are adjusted to the position illustrated in ig. 1. Fhe top of the cot is, as usual, of a canvas 11, the side edges of which are attached to the side pieces constituting portions of the frame work. Each of these side pieces is composed of two sections 12, 12 hinged together at their inner meeting ends. The hinged joint is such that the two nzen bers or sections of each side, will be brought together, wish the cot is folded for transportation or ships-tent. I EKTPlOY as one 1'01 1 of hinge, the specific structure shown more especially in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings. Each of these hinges consists of two side plates 13, 13, the under edges of which are connected centrally by an elongated web 14, and the upper edges of which are connected at the ends by less elongated webs 15, 15. A transverse brace strip 16 also connects the upper edges of these plates at the centers of said edges. The inner ends of the side pieces 12 of the frame are passed in between the side plates 13 of the hinges, and are pivoted therehetween on transverse pivot pins 17, 17. By this construction of hinge, when the side pieces are straightened out and the cot adjusted to the position shown in Fig. 1, the ends of the side pieces have bearings against the under web 14 and the end webs 15, 15 said webs, therefore, resisting any tendency of the side pieces to turn on their pivots. These webs therefore act to maintain the straightened out positions of the side pieces when the cot is set up. he said webs, in connection with the upper central brace strips 16, also serve to strengthen the hinge.

The supporting legs at the front and rear of the cot are indicated by the nui-rieral 18. Secured to one side of the upper end of each of these legs is a plate 19 projecting upwa 'dly beyond the upper end of the leg. (hie side edge of each plate is provided with flange 2tprojecting outwardly therefrom at right angles thereto, the upper end of said flange joining a horizontal flange 21 along the upper edge of the plate, the two flanges for ing in connection with the plate a sociret. Secured to the opposite side of the upper end of each leg is a hinge plate 22, the upper end of each plate being provided with anextension 23 projecting inwardly at right angles and pivoted to one of the sections 12 of the side-of the frame by a pivot pin 2 1. 'ihe side nie1nher or section 12 of each side of the cot passes between the plate 19 and the hinge plate 22, when the cot is adjusted to its upright position ready for use.

In securing the canvas 11 to the side seccanvas attached thereto.

tions 12, said side sections are placed beneath the side edges 01' the canvas, and said canvas then secured to the side sect-ions by means 01' tacks, nails, or equivalents. The side edges of the canvas with the attached side menbers 1.2 of the l'ra ne are then turned under, so that what were originally the upper sides of the side members 12 became the under sides thereof, when the cot is set u It will be seen that the canvas centrally at opposite edges thereof is cut out, as indicated by the numeral These cut out portions l'acilitate the folding of the canvas, and also pre vent bulging thereol' when folded.

The spreading mechanism for each pair of end legs consists of a lower horizontal bar 26 and two spreader arms 27 27. The horizontal bar is provided. at opposite ends, upon its under side, "with angle strips 28, 28, the (10- pending lips of said strips adapted to engage back of one side of a metal band 29 bent partly around each leg. The leg also has a cut-away portion 30 leading down to and back 01" the band to facilitate the insertion of the depending lips of the angle strips. Through the center of each bar 26 is an opening 31 which at its upper end is enlarged into a recess into which is seated a metallic plate 32 having a threaded opening therethrough in continuation of the opening 31. A screw 33 passes throughcpening 31 and engages the threaded opening of plate 32, and the upper end of this screw has a rigid engagement with the bottom piece of a U-shaped bracket 34. Supported in the side pieces or" this bracket is a pin 35 which forms a pivot 'for the inner ends of the two spreader arms. The outer ends of the spreader arms are beveled oil and are ad a pted to engage the socket plates 19, as clearly shown in the drawings. By turning one of the screws 33 in one direction the bracket 34 to which the upper end. of said screw is attached is raised, and this necessarily has the eiiect of causing the arms 27 to spread outwardly and their outer ends to firmly engage the plates 19. When it is desired to disengage the spreader arms, the screw 33 is turned in the opposite direction, which 01 course permits oi the outer ends 01 the spreader arm being turned out of engagement with the plates 19.

As hereinbe'forc explained, the sections 12- torming the sides 01' the frame are first placed beneath the side edges of the canvas, and the After attachment in this manner the canvas and the sections 12 are turned under, so that the legs 18 of the sections 12 depend from said sections. It is of course desirable and preferred that the legs 18 incline outwardly so as to form a firm support. There is therefore left suilicient play between the upper ends of the legs and the under sides of the sections 12 so as to permit the legs to assume this inclination, the upper ends of the legs being beveled so as to engage squarely against the under sides of the sections 12 when thus thrown out, and the lower ends of the legs being beveled in the opposite direction so as to bear "firmly on the l'loor or other horizontal support. the legs are thus adjusted to their upright positions, the spreading mechanism is then adjusted to place. This is accomplished by first passing the depending lips of the angle plates 28 into engagement with the bands 29. The outer ends of the spreader arms are then adjusted to the socket plates 19, and the screw 33 turned in the direction to force the outer ends of said spreader arms outwardly into firm engagement with the socket plates. The spreading mechanism for the opposite pair of le s is then adjusted in. the same manner, and the cot is ready for use. By the adjustment outwardly of the spreader arms in the manner described, it is evident that the canvas is rendered taut, and that should said canvas through continued use of the cot sag at any point, particularly at the center where such sagging usually occurs, the said sagging may be readily taken up by turning the screws 33 in the proper direction to cause a further outspreading of the arms27.

When it is desired to take down the cot and fold it for shipment or otherwise, the spreading mechanism i "rst removed in an obvious manner. The sections 12 are then turned outwardly to the original position. in which the elongated web 13 of the central hinges are uppermost. The legsare then turned downwardly against the sections 12, and said sections 12 turned toward each other on the central hinges. The ends 01 the thus i olded structure are then turned inwardly, as clearly shown in Fig. 4., and the spreader mechanism may then be placed upon the canvas as indicated in Fig. 4, .id 'Zigure showing one of the spreading mec nisms placed upon the canvas. The other spreading mechanism may now be similarly disposed, and the entire structure rolled up into a compact bundle.

T he modified construction shown particularly in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings differs from the structure illustrated upon Sheet 1 only in. respect to the form of central hinge employed and also the employment of central supporting legs. These central supporting legs are indicated by the nu ral 36. Each 01 these central legs is provided with one oi the ""etallic bands 29 for the engage inent therev n 01' the depending lips 01' the angle strips 28 of the horizontal bar 26 of the central spreading niechanis which central spreading mechanism. is indentical with the spreading mechanism en ployed for the end legs. These central legs 36 are also provided at their upper ends with the socket plates 1.9 for the reception the-rein oi the outer ends of the spreader a zris. By the provision of these central legs 36a different After form of central hinges are necessary than is employed in the Sheet 1 form of construction. This hinge consists of a T-shaped metallic piece 37, the stem of the T being secured against the outer sides of the central legs 36, and the heads of the Ts being adjacent to the outer sides of the sections 12 of the side pieces of the frame, and pivoted this form of cot together after removing the spreading mechanism the side pieces and wardly, as in the case of the Fig. 1 form of construction so as to cause the legs to point upwardly. The end legs are then folded down, and the entire cot folded at the central hinges. The side edges of the thus folded cot are then turned.inwardly, illustrated in Fig. 6 ol' the drawings, said figure showing one of said side edges thus folded. The spreading mechanism is then laid upon the canvas in the manner as illustrated in Fig. 4, and. the structure now rolled into a compact bundle.

While I prefer that the frame work be so adjusted together and enployed in connection with the canvas as to form. a cot, yet 1 do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to this particular adaptation of the invention, as it is obvious that the same. construction of legs and spreading chanissi may be employed in connection with other forms of folding furniture, such for instance as a folding table, or in connection with a folding bath tub. l i hen employed in the planted by a wooden top piece, and when employed as a folding bath tub a cup shaped form of canvas will be substituted for the flat canvas arrangement of the cot.

i l' h at I claim as my invention is:

1. In folding furniture, the combination of ets, a horizontal bar having its opposite ends connected to the legs, a member above the bar, adjustable means engaging the bar and said member, whereby the member may be raised or lowered, and spreader arms having their inner ends pivoted to the member and their outer ends adapted to engage the sockets of the legs.

2. ln folding furniture, the combination of legs provided at their upper ends with sockets, a horizont-albar, means at opposite ends of said bar for detachably connecting said ends to the legs, a member above the bar, adjustable means engaging the bar and said memher, whereby the member may be raised or lowered, and spreader arms having their inner ends pivoted to the member and their outer ends adapted to engage the sockets of the legs.

o. in folding furniture, the combination of l legs provided at their upper ends with sockets, loops secured to said legs at points between the ends thereof, a horizontal bar provided at opposite ends with depending lips adapted to detachably engage the loops, a member above the bar, adjustable means engaging the bar and said member, whereby the member may be raised or lowered, and spreader arms having their inner ends pivoted to the member and their outer ends adapted to engage the sockets of the legs.

in folding furi'iiture, the combination of legs, socket plates secured to the upper ends side edges of the canvas are turned outof said legs, a horizoi'ital bar having its opposite ends connected to the legs, a member above the bar, adjustable means engaging the bar and said member, whereby the member may be raised or lowered, and spreader arms having their inner ends pivoted to the member, and their outer ends adapted to en the socket plates.

5. In folding furniture, the combination of plates provided at their upper ends with sockets, a horizontal bar having an opening vertically therethrough, the ends of said her being connected to the legs, a screw having a threaded connection with said opening, a member above the bar and engz ged by the upper end of the screw, whereby said member may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly, and spreader arms having their inner ends pivoted to the member and their outer ends engaging the sockets of the legs.

6. ln folding furniture, the combination of 1 le s socket slates secured to the u ier ends a 7 of said legs, a horizontal bar provided at opposite ends with depending lips, loops conlornier relation, the canvas would be supnected to the legs at points between the ends of said legs, said loops adapted. to be detachably engaged by the depending lips, amember above the bar, adjustable means engaging the bar and said member, whereby the member may be raised or lowered, and

spreader arms having their inner ends pivot legs provided at their upper ends with socked to the member and their outer ends engaging the socket plates.

7. In folding furniture, the combination of legs, a socket plate connected to one side of each leg and projecting above the upper end of said leg, a hinge plate connected to the opposite side of each leg and projecting above the upper end of said leg, a horizontal bar having its opposite ends connected to the legs, a member above the bar, adjustable means engaging the bar and said member, whereby the member may be raised or lowered, and spreader arms having their inner ends pivoted to the member and their outer ends adapted to engage the socket plates.

8. In folding furniture, the combination of side pieces, legs connected at their upper ends to said side pieces, a member connecting the lower portions of the legs together, and means connected to the upper portions of the legs and in engagement with the member for spreading apart laterally of the upper ends of the legs while the lower portions are held from spreading by the member.

In folding furniture, the combination of side pieces, legs connected at their upper ends to said side pieces, a member connecting the lower portions of the legs together, a spreader connected to the upper portions of the legs, and an adjustable connection between the member and the spreader for spreading apart laterally of the upper ends of the legs while the lower portions are held from spreading by the member.

10. In folding furniture, the combination of side pieces, legs pivoted at their upper ends to said side pieces, and provided. at their upper ends with sockets, horizontal bar having its opposite ends connected to the legs, a member above the bar, adjustable means engaging the bar and said member, whereby the member may be raised or lowcred, and spreader arms having their inner ends pivoted to the member, and their outer ends adapted to engage the sockets of the legs.

11. In folding furniture, the combination of side pieces, each side piece composed of two sections having their inner ends hinged together, legs pivoted at their upper ends to said side pieces, and provided at their upper ends with sockets, a horizontal bar having its opposite ends connected to the legs, a member above the bar, adjustable means engaging the bar and said member, whereby the member may be raised or lowered, and spreader arms having their inner ends pivoted to the member, and their outer ends adapted to engage the sockets of the legs.

12. In folding furniture, the combination of side pieces, each side piece composed of two sections having their inner ends hinged together, the hinged construction beingsuch that said sections are capable of being swung or folded together, or turned outwardly in horizontal alinement, legs provided at their upper ends with sockets, and having their upper ends pivoted to the sections of the side pieces, the pivots being such as to permit the legs to be swung from an upright position up to and against the under sides of the sections of the side pieces, a horizontal bar having its opposite ends connected to the legs, a member above the bar, adjustable means engaging the bar and said member, whereby the member may be raised or lowered, and spreader arms having their inner ends pivoted to the member, and their outer pnds adapted to engage the sockets of the egs.

13. In folding furniture, the combination -of side pieces, each side piece composed of two sections having their inner ends hinged together, the hinged construction being such that said sections are capable of being swung or folded together, or turned outwardly into horizontal alinement, legs provided at their upper ends with sockets, and having their upper ends pivoted to the sections of the side pieces, the pivots being such as to permit the legs to be swung from an upright position to and against the under sides of the sections of the side pieces, a horizontal bar having its opposite ends detachably connected to the legs, said bar provided with a vertical opening therethrough, a screw having a threaded connection with said opening, a member carried at the upper end of the screw, and spreader arms pivoted to said member, and having their outer ends adapted to engage the sockets of the legs.

14. In folding furniture, the combination of side pieces, each side piece composed of two *ections, a hinge forconnecting the inner ends of the two sections of each side piece together, each hinge consisting of side plates between which the inner ends of the sections are pivoted, a central elongated web connecting the lowcredges of the side pieces centrally, upper webs connecting the upper edges of the side pieces at opposite ends thereof, and a brace strip connecting the upper edges of the side pieces centrally, legs pivoted at their upper ends to the sections of the side pieces, andprovided. at said upper ends with sockets, a horizontal bar having its opposite ends connected to the legs, a member above the bar, adjustable means engaging the bar and said member, whereby the member may be raised or lowered, and spreader arms having their inner ends pivoted to the member, and their outer ends adapted to engage the sockets of the legs.

15. In folding furniture, the combination of side pieces, legs pivoted at their upper ends to the outer ends of said side pieces, said legs provided their upper ends with sockets, central legs pivoted at their upper ends to the centers of the side pieces, and provided their upper ends with sockets, a horizontal bar for each pair of legs, said bar having its opposite ends connected to the respective legs of a pair, a member above eacn bar, means engaging the bar and said member, and adapted when operated in one direction to raise said member, and when operated in tne opposite direction to lower said member, and spreader arms pivoted to the member at their inner ends, and adapted to have their outer ends engaging the sockets of the legs.

16. In folding furniture, the combination of side pieces, each side piece consisting of two sections, hinges for the inner ends of said sections, one portion of the hinge being pivoted to one section and another portion of the hinge being pivoted to the other section, the hinged construction being such that said sections are capable of being folded or their upper ends to the outer ends of said sections of the side pieces, said legs provided at their upper ends with sockets, central legs provided at their upper ends with sockets, said legs connected to the central hinges, the pivots of all of said legs being such as to permit the legs to be swung from an upright position to and against the under sides of the sections of the side pieces, a horizontal bar for each pair of legs, the

opposite ends of said bar being connected to the respective legs of a pair, a member above each bar, means engaging the bar and said f member, and adapted, when operated in one swung together, or turned into horizontal alinement with each other, legs pivoted at direction, to raise said member, and, when operated in the opposite direction, to lower said member, and spreader arms pivoted to each member at their inner ends, and adapted to have their outer ends engage the sockets of the legs.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

EDWARD M. STANNARD. Witnesses OTTO L. DREYs, ALPHEUs M. WORTH. 

